Washing machine



Feb. 28, 1928 W. A. FRANTZ WASHING MACHINE Filed March 22. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

wcmev mm Jpn v Feb. 28, 1928. v 1,660,957

, w. A. FRANTZ WASHING momma Filed llarch 22. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Walter A. from INVENTOR.

. I ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 28, 1928.

WALTER A. FRANTZ, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

r 2. WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed March 22, 1922. Serial No. 545,630.

This invention relates to washing machines of the rotary cylinder type and has for its objects the provision of a cylinder of minimum weight and complexity, maximum strength and high washing efficiency; the provision of a cylinder containing the smallest possible number of parts; and those made all of non-corrodible metal; the provision of a cylinder which shall not tear nor injure the clothes; the provision of a new cover and cover fastener; while further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application I have shown one embodiment of my said invention although Without intent to limit myself to those exact constructions except as defined in my claims. Fig.v 1 is a perspective view of my improved cylinder with the cover.removed and Fig. 2 an end elevation of the same withthe cover in place; Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are detail views showing the construction and interlocking of the sideand end-' parts; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a part of the cylinder and cover; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the operation of the device; and Fig. .9 is a detail of the cover.

Describing by'. reference characters the parts shown in these drawings, 1, 1 represent circular end members, preferably made of a light cast metal as aluminum, and having around the periphery a circular outstanding flange 2. The center of each end member is formed for engagement with a supporting member, either by the provision of a socket 8 (Figs. 1 and 2) or a gudgeon 4 (Fig. 3). The inner face of each end member is also formed adjacent to its periphery with a plurality of similarly arranged, inwardly projecting flanges 5, 5, de-

fining seats 6, these flanges being arranged in the form of oblong rectangles whose major dimensions are radial. I have shown the end members as formed with apertures 7 at each of these flanges, but these have no function except drainage, and the flange 2 is best carried right across all the same ex cept one, indicated at 8, which is notched entirely through for a different purp se, and from which the flanges 5 may be omitted if desired.

10 represents thewall portion of the cylinder which is made of sheet metal, and preferably in a single piece except for the cover section. This metal strip is bent to form longitudinal troughs or ribs 11 which extend from end to end and engage the seats defined by the flanges 5. These troughs may be either inside or outside the flanges 5, provided only that the ends of the troughs engage a seat or shoulder 6 in bracing relation since this is the provision for resisting collapse of the end members; At each side of each'rib the metal of the wall-forming strip is extended as shown at flange 2 around which it is bent or spu'n as shown at 13, thus resisting separation of the end members. At the margins of the working opening, the sheet metal is preferably rolled to form a false Wire 14 which also engages the end members so as to resist collapsing. These three members alone constitute a simple, rigid, and non-corrodible structure the wall 10 being preferably made of sheet aluminum. i The removable section or cover is best made of a piece of the same kind of sheet metal to form an arcuate portion 15, having false wires 16 at its margins and at its middle a longitudinal rib 17 adapted to enter the notches 8, 8, whereby the position of the cover section is defined. Each end ofthis cover section is stiffened b a reinforcing fiange l8, suitably secured thereto as by riveting and having a skirt portion 19 which overlaps theend of the cylinder and prevents endwise movementof the cover section. Radial loss of the cover section 12 to overlie the is prevented by pivoted bails 20, 20, one at each end of the cylinder and each fastened at opposite sides of the opening. These, taken in conjunction with the fact that the cover overlapsthe cylinder and can neither fall through theopening nor move laterally. constitutesa safe and simple securing means.

So far as the foregoing'construction is concerned the presence or location of perforations and apertures in the barrel or cylinder is unimportant. However I prefer for operating reasons as well as constructional reasons to form the end plates 1, 1 with very numerous perforations and to make the wall portion 10 imperforate. The advantages from a constructional standpoint will be obvious; the end members, being castings, can be apertured with equal ease and greater economy than they could be made solid; but the sheet metal cannot be perforated so cheaply, the punchings are wasted, and the imperforate metal can be employed in a thinner gauge. My experience, however, cs-

tablishes that such a cylinder, when made with perforated ends and imperforate sides will wash equally as rapidly and effectively with one having solid ends and perforated sides. As the cylinder is rotated the upward drag of the ribs on the one side raises the liquid as shown at a in Fig. 8; and on the other side depression of the liquid as shown at 1). Consequently the surrounding liquid poursviolently in at the oneside and theentrapped liquid rushes out at the other side, giving to,the clothing a kneading action lengthwise of the cylinder in addition to the radial kneading action produced by the ribs 11. As a result of this violent liquid agitation I find that the clothing is washed equally as rapidly and thoroughly as with a, cylinder wherein. the holes are in the curved wall, and with this great advantage, that the. clothes are not worn and abraded so. m uc h bythc edges of the apertures. It is important, however, that the apertures be. continued as nearly to the margiiipf the end members as possible so that edi nent may not be trapped.

It will ,be understood that my improved construction iscnot dependentupon having perforations'at any given point but is applicable to 'iinperforate, side perforate, end perforate, or. all. perforate barrels; also that end perforatebarrels can be made in other ways; that many changesin detail can be made; and that l do not limit myself to,

the, details of arrangement and construction hereinshown except as specifically recited in my claims.

Having thus described my invention what I clainris 1 A -cylinc lricalcontainer having circular end members formed I with seating portions upon their, inner faces and near their peripheries,,and a sheet metal side wall having por-v tions displaced inwardly between said end members and engaging said seating portions, and otherportions embracing and bent arpund saidend members, said inwardly dis-.

placed portions forming ribs.

2. A cylindricalv container having a pair of, circular, end members formed with out wardly facing peripheral flanges and inwardly facing seating portions near their peripheries, and a sheet metal sidewall having portions displaced inwardly to form longitudinal ribs which engage said seating 7 portion, and other portions engaging and secured to said flanges.

3. A washing machine cylinder having an opening in its side extending from end to end, a closure for said opening having cular endv member having an out-turned, peripheral fiangeand. also having a plural ity of inwardly facing, radially-.projecting recesses spaced about said end member adjacent to said flange. in combination with a.

sheet metal side wall having portions displaced inwardly and fitting in said recessesto fix the relative positions of said side wall and end member, and means for securing said end member to said sidewall.

5. A washing machinecylinder comprising a pair of coaxial circular metal heads spaced apart and havingoutwardlyturned peripheral flanges and angularly spacedipee ripheral recesses and a sheet-metal side wall connecting said heads, said side wall having angularly spaced reentrant folds which are.

received. in said recesses and constitute baflies and also having cylindrical portions between adjacent folds which overlap said a heads, such cylindrical portions having their margins folded around said peripheralv flanges so asto secure said heads against separation, and the. folds engaging said heads adjacent to. said recesses so as to secure ,said heads against approaching move merit.-

In testimony whereof, I hereuntoaffix my signature.

WALTER A FRANTZ. 

